The Maltese is the quintessential lapdog. These pups have long, flowing white fur and a petite frame perfect for lounging at home and showing off on the go. While the breed is small, the Maltese, like many other small dogs, makes up in personality what it lacks in size. Get to know this toy breed to help you decide whether you would like to make one a part of your family.
The Maltese at a glance
| Trait | Details |
|---|---|
| Height | 7 to 9 inches |
| Weight | Under 7 pounds |
| AKC group | Toy |
| Coat | Long, silky, single-layered (often kept in a short "puppy cut") |
| Color | White, sometimes with light tan or lemon shading |
| Energy level | Low to moderate |
| Lifespan | 12 to 15 years |
| Shedding | Low |
| Good with kids | Yes, with gentle, supervised handling |
| Alone time | Struggles with it, a devoted companion breed |
| Best fit | Apartments and companion-focused homes |
The Maltese lineage
The breed is named for its island of origin: Malta. These dogs originated on this Mediterranean island, located to the south of Italy, 2,800 years ago, making them a well-established part of the canine family. You can even see depictions of the breed on the pottery of ancient Greece, according to The Spruce Pets.
The luxurious white coat and pint-sized body have made the Maltese a popular breed. Over the years, this distinguished dog has been a favorite of royalty and members of the aristocracy, a lapdog with a genuinely ancient pedigree.
The breed specs
The long, voluminous coat of the Maltese may make these dogs appear slightly larger than you would expect, but they weigh only about seven pounds each, according to the American Kennel Club (AKC). Beneath that beautiful fur, these dogs exude a charm that captured the attention of royals for centuries and continues to make them a popular pick for all kinds of people today.
While most people associate the Maltese with a pure white coat, you will also find members of the breed with some tan or lemon shading. Some pet parents keep their Maltese in a closer shaggy cut, while others favor the long, showy coat. The Maltese has a life expectancy of 12 to 15 years, which is a wonderfully long run.
More than just a silky coat
While the long, flowing coat of the Maltese is its most distinctive physical feature, one that many pet parents love to pair with bows and ribbons, there is a lively personality behind all of the fur and frills. These dogs are highly affectionate and intelligent, with a playful streak and a genuine need for daily activity as an outlet.
Maltese are also famously bold. Despite their size, they carry themselves like a much bigger dog, which is charming but means early socialization matters so that confidence does not tip into snappiness around larger dogs or young children. They are deeply people-oriented, sometimes to their own detriment: as a classic companion breed, the Maltese can be prone to separation anxiety and to barking when left alone. They thrive with a household that is around, or with a plan to break up the long stretches by themselves.
Exercise for a little dog
A Maltese does not need much, which is part of the appeal, but "not much" is not "none." A couple of short walks a day plus some indoor play and a little mental stimulation keeps this bright toy breed happy and prevents the boredom behaviors, like barking and mischief, that small dogs are often unfairly labeled with. Puzzle toys, short training games, and a game of fetch down the hallway all count. Their modest needs make Maltese a great match for people who want a companion without a big exercise commitment.
Grooming the Maltese
That signature coat is the biggest care commitment. If you keep it long, plan on daily brushing to prevent painful mats, plus regular trips to the groomer. Many pet parents opt for a short "puppy cut," which keeps the dog just as cute with a fraction of the upkeep. The good news for allergy-sensitive homes is that the Maltese is a low shedder with a single coat.
Two grooming notes specific to the breed: keep the hair around the eyes trimmed and the face wiped clean to manage tear staining, the reddish-brown marks that show easily against white fur, and stay on top of dental care, since small mouths are prone to crowding and disease. If the coat feels like a lot to manage, Sparky Steps keeps a vetted list of Chicago dog groomers, and our pet taxi service can handle the ride to and from the appointment.
Maltese health: what to watch for
Maltese are generally long-lived and sturdy for their size, but the breed has several toy-dog health patterns worth knowing. This is general information, not veterinary advice, so your vet is always the right call for your individual dog.
The most common issue, and the most preventable, is dental disease. Small mouths mean crowded teeth and rapid tartar buildup, and untreated dental problems can affect the heart and kidneys over time. Daily tooth brushing and regular professional cleanings genuinely add good years to a Maltese's life.
Other conditions to know:
- Luxating patella: a slipping kneecap that affects a notable share of the breed. It can look like a skip or a brief hop on three legs, and ranges from mild to surgical.
- Portosystemic (liver) shunt: a congenital condition, more common in Maltese than in most breeds, where blood bypasses the liver's filtering. Signs include poor growth, disorientation, and seizures. Responsible breeders bile-acid test puppies for it.
- Collapsing trachea: a weakening of the windpipe that causes a distinctive honking cough. Here is the practical takeaway: walk your Maltese on a harness, never a neck collar, to avoid putting pressure on the trachea.
- Hypoglycemia: low blood sugar, especially in puppies and tiny adults. Frequent small meals help, and a dab of honey can be a stopgap while you get to the vet.
- Heart conditions: including patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in some dogs, which is why breeders do cardiac screening.
- White shaker syndrome: a treatable neurological condition seen in small white breeds that causes full-body tremors.
Reputable breeders follow the American Maltese Association's recommended screenings, which include knee, cardiac, and liver testing. Keeping your Maltese at a lean weight protects those delicate knees and trachea.
Living with a Maltese in Chicago
In many ways the Maltese is close to an ideal city dog. They are tiny, low-shedding, quiet on the exercise front, and perfectly content in an apartment. A few small-dog realities are worth planning for, though.
Cold is the big one. A seven-pound dog with a single coat and no undercoat feels a Chicago winter intensely, so a sweater or coat, quick potty trips in deep cold, and paw care after salted sidewalks all matter. The other consideration is companionship: as a devoted lapdog, a Maltese does not love being alone all day, and their small bladders mean long stretches without a break are hard on housetraining too. A midday visit solves both at once.
That is a natural fit for what we do. A consistent dog walker gives your Maltese a potty break and a little company in the middle of the day, and if your dog gets anxious when you leave, our guide to easing separation anxiety is a good starting point. One more note for a fragile toy breed: in a dog-dense city, a careful walker who understands small dogs helps keep them safe around bigger, bouncier company.
Is a Maltese right for you?
A Maltese may be a wonderful match if you want a small, affectionate, low-shedding companion that fits apartment life and does not demand hours of exercise, and if you are ready to commit to grooming and dental care. A Maltese may be a tougher fit if you are away long hours with no midday plan, want a rugged outdoor adventure dog, or would find the coat upkeep frustrating. For the right home, few breeds are as devoted or as portable.
Finding your Maltese
If you are interested in fostering or adopting one of these dogs, the American Maltese Association Rescue operates with a network of foster homes for the breed. You also have the option of researching a responsible, health-testing breeder. Whichever route you choose, do your homework: a good breeder screens for knee, heart, and liver issues and answers questions openly, and a good rescue is honest about a dog's temperament and needs.
Maltese FAQ
Do Maltese shed, and are they hypoallergenic?
Maltese are low shedders with a single, silky coat, which makes them a popular choice for people with mild allergies. No dog is fully hypoallergenic, but the breed sheds very little.
Are Maltese good apartment dogs?
Yes, they are one of the best-suited breeds for apartment living thanks to their small size, low shedding, and modest exercise needs. They just need companionship and a way to break up long days alone.
Are Maltese good with kids?
They can be, with gentle and supervised handling. Because they are so small and delicate, Maltese are usually a better fit for households with older, careful children.
How much grooming does a Maltese need?
A long coat needs daily brushing and regular grooming, while a short "puppy cut" is much lower maintenance. Either way, plan on keeping the face clean to manage tear staining and staying consistent with dental care.
How much exercise does a Maltese need?
Modest amounts. A couple of short daily walks plus indoor play and some mental stimulation is plenty for this toy breed.
What health problems are Maltese prone to?
The most common is dental disease. The breed is also prone to luxating patella, liver shunts, collapsing trachea, hypoglycemia, and certain heart conditions. Walking on a harness rather than a collar and keeping up with dental care both help.
Sparky Steps keeps your Maltese company through the day
A Maltese is a devoted little companion that does best with someone around, which is exactly the gap a reliable midday visit fills. Sparky Steps has cared for Chicago's North Side since 2016, with the same trusted walkers every visit, plus GPS tracking, photos, and visit notes after every visit through DoTimely.
Written by Carrie Pallardy. Updated and edited by the Sparky Steps Content Team.
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